Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
Sequel to the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film.
The 2016 superhero film *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows* was directed by Dave Green, with a screenplay by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec. It serves as the sequel to the 2014 *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* movie and is based on the characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman. The story follows the Turtles as they try to foil a scheme by Shredder and scientist Baxter Stockman to bring the alien warlord Krang to Earth.
After the first film did well at the box office, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies gave the green light for a sequel. Dave Green entered negotiations to direct in December 2014, replacing Jonathan Liebesman, who had directed the original. Principal photography began in New York City in April 2015 and wrapped up in August of that year.
The movie premiered at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 22, 2016, and hit U.S. theaters on June 3, 2016. Critics gave it mixed reviews, though many saw it as an upgrade from the first film. Financially, it was a box-office bomb, earning $246 million worldwide against a $135 million budget. This led to the cancellation of a planned third film, which was replaced by the animated reboot *Mutant Mayhem* in 2023. Another live-action film is scheduled for 2028.
**Plot**
One year after stopping Shredder—a feat for which Vern Fenwick also received credit—the Turtles learn from April O’Neil that scientist Baxter Stockman is working with Shredder to break him out of prison. During a prison transfer involving corrections officer Casey Jones, the Foot Clan attacks the convoy. The Turtles intervene, but Shredder escapes when Stockman uses a teleportation device. Shredder is hijacked mid-teleport, ending up in another dimension where he meets the alien warlord Krang. Krang plans to invade Earth and gives Shredder a mutagenic compound in exchange for reassembling the arc capacitor, a device sent to Earth long ago that will open a portal to Krang’s dimension, allowing his war machine, the Technodrome, to come through. Shredder and Stockman already have one piece and need two more. Casey reports the escape to NYPD chief Rebecca Vincent and his superior, but they don’t believe him and effectively suspend him, so he decides to pursue Shredder alone.
Shredder recruits Bebop and Rocksteady, and Stockman uses Krang’s mutagen to turn them into a humanoid warthog and rhinoceros. April wit
- director
- Dave Green
- writers
- Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec
- release_date
- June 3, 2016 (United States)
- budget
- $135 million
- box_office
- $246 million
- based_on
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman
Lore & Background
A year after stopping Shredder, the Turtles learn that scientist Baxter Stockman is working for Shredder to bust him out of prison. During a prison transfer, Shredder escapes with the help of Stockman's teleportation device, but is hijacked mid-teleport and meets the alien warlord Krang. Krang gives Shredder a mutagenic compound in exchange for reassembling an arc capacitor to open a portal to his dimension, through which he will bring his war machine, the Technodrome. Shredder recruits criminals Bebop and Rocksteady, who are mutated into a warthog and rhinoceros, respectively. The Turtles, aided by April O'Neil, Casey Jones, and Vern Fenwick, work to stop Shredder and Krang's plan.
Reader's Guide
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows was released in theaters on June 3, 2016, following a premiere at Madison Square Garden on May 22, 2016. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was considered an improvement over the first film. Despite this, it was a box-office bomb, grossing $246 million against a $135 million budget. This financial underperformance led to a planned third film being scrapped in favor of an animated reboot, Mutant Mayhem, released in 2023. Another live-action film is planned for 2028. The film introduced characters such as Casey Jones, Bebop, Rocksteady, and Krang to the live-action series, and featured cameos from NBA players and series co-creator Kevin Eastman.
Did You Know?
- Principal photography began in April 2015 in New York City and wrapped in August 2015.
- The film features cameo appearances by NBA players Carmelo Anthony, DeAndre Jordan, Lou Amundson, JJ Redick, Austin Rivers, Matt Barnes, and Spencer Hawes.
- Series co-creator Kevin Eastman makes a cameo as a pizza delivery man named after himself.
- The film's budget was $135 million, and it grossed $246 million worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows?
Dave Green helmed the 2016 sequel, with the screenplay penned by Josh Appelbaum and André Nemec. The project was produced under the banner of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies.
What is the main plot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows?
The four Turtles work to stop Shredder and the rogue scientist Baxter Stockman from pulling off a plan to drag the alien warlord Krang back to Earth. Their efforts to protect the city drive the central conflict of the film.
When was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows released in theaters?
The movie hit U.S. screens on June 3, 2016, arriving roughly two years after its 2014 predecessor.
How did Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows perform financially?
Produced on a budget of around $135 million, the film collected approximately $246 million at the worldwide box office, making it a modest commercial success for the studio.
What is the connection between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and the original 2014 film?
It functions as a direct sequel to the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, continuing the same continuity. Both films draw on the comic-book characters originally created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman.
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